Vandals Target Romney Campaign Sign in East Norriton

Alan Apt is under attack. Or rather his political views are. 

Apt is a Republican committeeman for ward 2-3 in East Norriton. He was endorsed by the GOP this year to challenge state Rep. Matt Bradford in the 70th District, but was reportedly removed from the ballot in March after a petition challenge. Now Apt is facing another sort of challenge.

Last Tuesday, the politically active Apt erected a large, approximately 6-foot by 4-foot Romney-Ryan campaign sign in front of his lawn on the 2200 block of DeKalb Pike, between Johnson Highway and Hartranft Avenue. The major thoroughfare apparently not only made the sign more visible, but left it more open to vandalism. 

Apt says the sign was knocked down by vandals during the overnight hours on several occasions last week. He says he reported the incidents to East Norriton Police, who agreed to step up patrols in the area.

The final insult came this Wednesday morning when Apt found the sign, which was secured in the ground with steel stakes, knocked over once again and this time covered in paint.

Vandals had exed out Romney's name and wrote "47% SAY NO" in large black letters.

Apt told Norristown Patch that he's sincerely dismayed that political discourse has dropped this far.

"It really galls me," said Apt, who noted this continued vandalism is not his idea of political debate. "It's just lowlifes."

East Norriton Police Chief Karyl Kates confirmed that she's added patrols Apt's neighborhood and said she doesn't believe it's indicative of a larger trend in the area. 

"I'm not aware of any other [related incidents]," said Chief Kates. 

Apt said he'll have to see if he can get another sign to replace the damaged one, but he's not optimistic it won't happen again if he does.